YOUR COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO ONLINE SCHOOLS

There was a time when the public perception
of an online education was on a par with those offered on matchbook
covers. Whether that reputation was deserved in years past is a
subject open to debate. What is not open, however, is that this
perception is changing dramatically, and for the better. In fact,
a recent Pew Poll conducted among college presidents showed that
a majority of those felt that an online education offered the same
value to students as those of traditional educational settings.

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Even if you?ve been to college for an undergraduate degree, going back to school via the Internet can still be a somewhat frightening proposition. Fear of the unknown and taking a step into the world of online learning -- somet

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Online Education, Equal or Better

There are many reasons for the shift in this trend, according to an exhaustive
study recently conducted by the U.S. Department of Education. Interestingly,
the study points out that an online education is not only comparable to
traditional educational options, in many cases it is superior. The study
showed further that the methods of an online education often allow students
to absorb the information being taught at a relative pace. As a result,
the study showed that online methods of instruction allowed students to
perform modestly better than those who learned in a face-to-face instructional
setting.

Reasons for Improvement Trends

There is also considerable debate as to whether these improvements are
driving the trend towards online education or if the growing demand is
driving online course quality. Students today are, after all, busier than
those of the past. They don't always have time to attend regularly scheduled
classtime. As a result, online education benefits from these types of
students, whether they be working students, single parents, professionals,
or others.

The result of this is a growing market for educational institutions to
create online learning opportunities, whether they were currently in the
educational system currently or not. Face it. Education is big business,
and catering to the needs of their consumer is smart business, whether
they ever intended to move into online education or any other.

The Role In Technology

The advancement of technology has also played an important role in the
growth of online education, its capabilities, as well as the perception
it continues to make among members of the public. Whereas in previous
years an online course offering might have been limited to only a camera
focused on a professor speaking, today's courses are full of excellent
graphics that can make the course much more interesting than it would
have been otherwise.

Online Education: A Viable Option

It is also important to know that an online education is perceived more
often as a viable option to traditional education without the need to
sacrifice the information giving or the the quality of the presentation.
This is in contrast to what might have been learned in a correspondence
course or something similar. A professor speaking along with references
to a textbook is going to be the same online as it would be in a classroom
with little sacrifice. With a correspondence course, on the other hand,
the personal input of a professor is almost completely sacrificed.

Online Even in the Classroom

Interestingly, instead of online education options taking away from in
class time, the benefits of the Internet are actually improving class
time in the same ways it can when being used alone. During a classroom
session, for example, an instructor can add to his or her lecture by including
input from an off-site participant or expert that would not have been
possible without that virtual connection. The net effect being that whether
a student was learning in a classroom or learning online, the same input
from both the instructor and the off-site expert would be the same.

Suffice it to say that the world is changing, and in many cases it changes
for the better. Technology has advanced at an astonishingly fast pace,
and some sectors, education included, have enjoyed the benefits.

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Online programs are becoming an ever hotter ticket when it
comes to getting a degree these days. But why is this exactly?

Is it because online degrees are easy to get? Is it because
they are convenient to particular demographics or portions of
society that might not have had the ability to get a degree
but for the prevalence of online educations? Is it because online
options are cheaper than a campus-based education? Or could
it be that it is a combination of all the above?

If you are considering getting your online degree, here are
ten reasons why it might be the choice for your continuing education.

COST
Other than convenience, cost is probably the other most common
factor that might lead someone to get a degree online. With
an online degree, not only might you be able to reduce tuition
costs considerably compared to many campus-based institutions,
but you may also be able to avoid or reduce costs like room
and board, transportation, and book costs.

SCHEDULING
Many online degree programs may offer more flexible scheduling
than campus-based educations. This can often be an attractive
characteristic of such programs, especially for those with families
or careers. Being able to take a full semester's course load
or just pick up a class when it fits your schedule means online
degrees are often an attractive option for those who just don't
think they have the time to get a degree.

WORK
Tying in closely with the scheduling benefits of an online degree
is the option for many who are currently working or considering
working while getting their education to do so more conveniently
than those would pursue similar coursework at a college campus.
Being able to work while still going to school online may better
enable students to avoid the debt that often accompanies many
campus-based degree programs.

FURTHER A CAREER
For those who feel stuck in their current career position but
are afraid to go back to school full time because they might
lose their job or their place in line on the advancement ladder,
an online education could allow them to advance their education
while still maintaining their current career level.

TRANSPORTATION
While it might not appear as one of the deciding factors when
considering an online degree versus one obtained at a college
campus, transportation can certainly play a part. Having to
spend time driving to campus, finding and paying for parking,
purchasing a bus pass, waiting out in the freezing cold or sweltering
heat for the bus, and having to deal with similar transportation
issues and costs could possibly be avoided by being able to
pursue an online degree from the comfort of your own home.

FAMILY
The thought of having to be away from family for extended periods
of time while attending classes at a college or university campus
can be a detractor to some considering going to school or going
back to school. With an online program, someone may be able
to pursue an education while still making time to spend with
friends and family.

PROGRAM SELECTION
Being able to select from a variety of online institutions may
open a variety of doors when it comes to which program suites
you best. With campus-based educations, you may be forced to
choose from campuses located in your nearby geographic location
or be forced to move to attend get your education, while online
programs may negate this necessity.

DEGREE SELECTION
Similar to the program you select, the particular degree options
to available to you through an online degree program might be
exceptionally diverse. You may be able to get a degree in something
that only a few, far-off campus-based programs offer without
having to move to another state, region or even country.

YOUR OWN PACE
You might feel pressure with a campus-based program to progress
your education at a certain rate; a rate with which you might
not be comfortable. With an online program however; you may
feel more comfortable completing your degree at a rate that
better fits your lifestyle and abilities.

MORE CREDIBILITY NOW
While online programs may still have a bit of a connotation
as not being quite as good as campus-based programs, they are
making advancements toward being more commonly accepted. The
acceptance of any program, campus-based or online will still
likely depend upon the quality of that program and whether it
is accredited or not.